Foster Love

Chapter 13

The rest of the day I didnt say anything to Austin, or anyone for that matter, and the ride home was completely silent.

As soon as we pulled into the driveway I jumped out of the car and ran inside.

I raced up to my room, threw my bag on the bed, and ran back outside to the stables.

I slowed down as I got closer.

"Hey Zag" I cooed. "Wanna go riding? I sure as hell do...I just wanna run and not look back."

I looked at her thoughtfully "I'm gonna try something. I'm gonna put a sadle on ya, and then maybe we'll go riding...just don't move...be a good girl."

I walked over, got the saddle, and put it on Zag's back. I got down on my knees to tighten it. After that was finished I went and got a stool so I could get myself up on to her back.

I got up on the stool and ever so slowly put one leg over her. Once I was all settled I put my heel into her side lightly to make her walk.

Walking was probably all that would happen today considering it was the first time I had ever rode a horse.

We exited the stables and were slowly walking around on the fields behind it.

Suddenly she shook her head violently. "Whoah girl, its okay." But she did it again. She started galloping as fast as she could. "Zag stop!!!!" I screamed. But she kept going and continued to try to shake me off. "ohmygodohmygodohmygod. Please stop!!" By this time I was freaking out.

I looked up and saw Austin tending to another horse inside the stable. "Austin!! Help!!" I screamed. He swung around just as Zag bucked, causing me to scream even louder and wrap my arms around her as tight as I could.

When all four of her legs were back on the ground I looked up and saw Austin riding towards me on the horse he was cleaning a few seconds ago.

He rode up next to me "Jenny, your gonna have to jump."

"What?!?! I can't jump off of a horse!!!"

"I'll catch you."

"No, I can't do that." It felt like I was having a full blown panic attack.

"You have to trust me. Look at me.." I did "I'll catch you, I promise."

I bit my lip nervously. "What do I do?"

"You need to stand up."

My eyes widened.

"Just trust me."

I grabbed the saddle with both hands and stood up on shaky legs when I felt Austin grab me and pull me to him.

I screamed at first but instantly felt Austin against me.

He had pulled me so that I was straddling him, and I buried my head into his neck.

He took me back to the stables and dropped me off.

"Ill be right back. I gotta get Zag."

"Okay."

I sat down in a corner and put my head on my knees.

I heard Austin come in and walk Zag back to her stable when he called for me.

"Hey Jenny...?"

"Ya?"

"Come here for a sec."

I slowly walked to where he was "whats wrong?"

"Are you the one who put the saddle on?"

"Uhhhmm...yaaa..."

"Damnit" he muttered. "She was freaking out like that because you buckled it wrong."

"Im sorry..I didnt mean to."

He didn't turn around so I started walking away.

"Why were you ignoring me today after lunch."

"I...uhm.."

"The honest answer Jenny."

I hesitated before saying "I was told to stay away from you."

He shook his head "let me guess, Mason right?"

"Howd' you know that??"

He laughed. "Hes always doing that."

"What do you mean?"

"We've been best friends since 2nd grade and hes always been the jealous type. Well like two years ago he started liking me. He thinks I don't know but hes my best friend, I'm not stupid, I do play along though so he doesn't get embarrassed or anything. Nobody knows but me. Anyways, ever since he started liking me, every time I have an interest in a girl he finds a way to scare them off."

Interest in a girl? I think we realized what he had said at the same time because his eyes got all wide and he started blushing.

"I...I uhmm...shit...I just mean when I...when I, uh, become friends...with a, uhh, girl..."

I decided to tease him a bit so I nodded and just said "uh-uh" like I didn't believe him.

He looked so embarrassed, it was adorable!

"I'm gonna go in now, thanks for your help today" I blew him a kiss and walked out, the face he made when I did that was priceless.

Austin didn't come in for dinner that night, according to Amber he had said that he suddenly didn't feel to well.

I, being the nice person I am, offered to take his dinner out to him. Amber instantly agreed.

I walked up the stairs to Austins room.

"heyy Austin, the girl your interested in is here!!" I yelled cheerily.

I got to the top of the stairs, turned around, and froze.

There was a very shirtless Austin standing in the middle of the room with his eyes closed and headphones in, lifting weights.

He went to put the weight down, opened his eyes, and looked at me with shock and confusion.

He stood up from putting down his weights and stretched.

I couldn't help but watch as his muscles flexed.

"Like what ya see cupcake?"

My face turned bright red and I glanced up to see him smirking.

"So what'd ya need baby doll?"

"I uhmm...I mean...uhh...amber wanted me to bring you dinner."

He walked over to me and studied the plate of meatloaf in my hands.

"Hmm..." He took the plate and put it on a table next to us. "There's something else I'd much rather eat." He whispered into my ear.

I shivered and took an involuntary step back.

He stalked towards me. "I think part of you feels the same way baby doll, and the other part is just scared."

My back hit the wall and he leaned against me with his hands on my hips.

He leaned down and started kissing my neck.

I accidentally let out a moan and felt immediately embarrassed, but he just laughed.

He made his way up my neck and across my jawline until his lips were on mine.

His lips were uber soft and we moved in perfect harmony with each other.

I wrapped my arms around his neck and was about to deepen the kiss when Amber yelled from downstairs.

"Jenny!!! Somebody's here for you!!"

Me and Austin pulled apart and just stared at each other breathlessly.